When a Texan Gambles (26 page)

Norma pulled her next swing and looked at Sarah.

Sarah did her best to sober. “Jacob Dalton, I’d like you to meet my protection.”

He shoved his hair away from his handsome face and tried his best to give a slight bow to Norma. “Pleased to meet you, ma‘am.” When he was sure Norma didn’t plan another attack, he turned his attention to Sarah. “I was wrong. Maybe I’m the one who shouldn’t travel outside Main Street without protection.”

Norma folded her arms beneath her breasts and glared at him. “You know this cowboy, Sarah?”

“He’s a friend of Sam’s and harmless.” Jacob looked offended at the comment, but Sarah continued talking to Norma. “Thank you for your efforts to assist me.” She leaned closer to the barmaid. “Did you find your daughter?”

Norma shook her head. “Good news I’m thinking.”

Sarah agreed. She had feared they would find Ellie dead.

Norma lifted the bundle she’d tossed at Jacob. “I talked with a man who sleeps off most of his drunks in the hallway. He said some big fellow came by early this morning and kicked the door down, but he didn’t remember hearing shots fired.”

“Sam,” Sarah whispered.

Norma nodded. “The bum was too far into drunk to think, but he remembers seeing my boy following the big man out the back door. I looked around where we live. The place had been trashed, but I didn’t notice any blood.”

“Blood?” Jacob stepped closer. “What’s going on here?”

Sarah linked her arm in his. “I’ll tell you while you see us back to the hotel.” When Norma didn’t budge, she added, “If Sam left, he’s probably not coming back here. We’ll be safer waiting at the hotel until Sam gets in touch with us.”

Norma followed as Sarah explained everything she knew. Jacob left them at the steps of the hotel and said he’d check out any word about Reed that the local law might have.

Jacob was two steps away when he turned and rushed back. He caught Sarah’s arm as she moved up the second step. “I almost forgot. I heard a rumor that Zeb Whitaker is in jail. I’m headed that way to make sure as soon as I can saddle up.” He smiled at Sarah. “With luck, you won’t have to worry about him anymore.”

Sarah jumped with joy, reaching one arm out to hug the young Ranger’s neck. “Thank heaven! I can’t sleep at night thinking he’s out there somewhere looking for me.”

Just as he set her back on the step, Sam came into view from behind Jacob. Before Sarah could tell Sam the great news, her husband stormed up the hotel steps two at a time and disappeared through the wide door.

“Lordy, Lordy,” Norma mumbled in the stillness that followed. “That’s one angry man.”

“Want me to go up with you and explain?” Jacob’s forehead wrinkled as he touched the handle of his Colt.

Sarah shook her head. “Of course not. He’ll be delighted when he learns we don’t have to worry about Zeb anymore.”

Jacob raised an eyebrow. “Sam Gatlin don’t appear to be a man who has spent much time in his life being delighted about anything. I can see him more getting angry.”

“Or maybe getting even,” Norma added.

TWENTY-ONE

SARAH HELD HER HEAD HIGH AND FORCED HERSELF to climb the steps. She’d sent Norma across the street to buy thread so they could mend the barmaid’s blouse, assuring the woman that there was not anything to worry about. She had nothing to fear from her husband, Sarah reminded herself. She only wanted a moment alone with him to explain what he’d seen on the street.

In truth, Sarah swallowed down panic as she reached the door. She had never seen Sam so angry. She’d heard people say that they knew someone who would get angry enough to spit nails, but until today she’d never thought the expression might be true.

Opening the door as quietly as possible, Sarah half expected him to start shouting at her before she could get into the room.

Only silence greeted her.

She closed the door behind her and waited. Nothing. Maybe he hadn’t been as mad as she thought. Maybe he’d had time to think it over, and he realized that she wasn’t doing anything improper.

Before she made up her mind, he stormed from the bedroom, his hands filled with shaving gear and the clothes he’d worn the day before. “Get packed,” he ordered. “We’re leaving.” He tossed his clothes into the trunk he’d left in the drawing room for days and crammed his shaving supplies into his saddlebags.

“Sam, what is it?” Any joy she felt at knowing Zeb Whitaker was in jail vanished when she realized Reed was still out there looking for Sam. What if Reed knew they were in Dallas? Were they running? Hiding? Or going after Reed?

She reached out and touched his sleeve as he passed. “What’s wrong?” Her imagination was quickly coming up with all that might have happened.

He jerked away, making her stumble forward with his sudden action.

She watched him walk away. He hadn’t even noticed she’d tripped. He simply continued his packing. She moved closer. “Sam?”

He turned so quickly, she stepped back, feeling almost as if she’d been hit by a blow. “What’s wrong? What’s wrong?” His voice grew in volume as he closed the distance between them. “I see my wife hugging a man on the street, and you ask me what’s wrong?”

She stood her ground. “Sam, let me—”

“No! I know what I saw.”

“But...”

He wasn’t listening. “Tell me, Sarah, did you ask him to hold you, too? Did you melt against him like warm butter so he could feel—”

Her slap hit his face with all the force she could muster. “How dare you?”

He didn’t move as the side of his jaw turned red with the imprint of her hand. “How dare I what? How dare I pretend I’m your husband when we both know I’m not?”

“You are my husband.”

“In name only, Sarah.”

“So that’s what you’re so mad about. The fact that I won’t sleep with you.”

“No, I’m mad as hell about you standing on the street wrapped up in another man arms.”

Sarah raised her hand.

“You hit me again, woman, and I swear you’ll regret it.”

“Then hit me, Sam!” she yelled. “I always knew you were a wife-beater. Hit me hard so my whole face will turn purple if it will make you feel better. I’m not changing my mind about mating with you until I’m good and ready, and I’m not apologizing for hugging a friend for bringing good news.”

She balled her fist and lifted her chin, daring him. She’d take the blow if that’s what it took, but she was tired of backing down.

Sam lowered his voice. “I’m not going to hit you, Sarah. Get ready. We leave within the hour.” He turned back to his packing.

Sarah knew he was still angry at her, but she didn’t know what to do. Her pride wouldn’t let her defend herself because she hadn’t done anything wrong. He didn’t look as if he would listen anyway.

She tried to help him pack, folding clothes he’d thrown into his trunk. The silence thickened between them even though they were only inches apart. When Norma tapped on the door, they both jumped.

“Is it all right to come in?” she whispered to Sarah.

“Of course it’s all right. Everything is fine,” Sarah lied.

Norma approached Sam slowly. “Mr. Sam? Did you find my girl?”

Only Sarah noticed Sam was fighting to keep his voice calm. “I found her. She’s scared pretty bad, but not hurt. I’ve got her and the boy at a safe place. It would probably be best if we wait until dark before I take you and Sarah.”

Norma nodded. “Thank you, but I need to see her soon.” She sat down in the chair by Sam’s desk, relief washing over her. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am to know they’re safe. I may not have been the best of mothers, but there ain’t nobody can say I wasn’t a caring one.”

She didn’t seem to notice that she was the only one participating in the conversation. “This has been quite a day. I don’t know if I can live through many more like this. My heart can’t take it.” She wiped her brow on her blouse sleeve. “But it all turned out good in the end. My kids are safe and that man Sarah killed ain’t going to bother her anymore.” She patted her chest. “I could use a drink.”

“There’s a bottle in the bedroom on the dresser,” Sam said. “Help yourself.”

When Norma left the room, Sam placed his hand over Sarah’s as she spread the wrinkles out of his jacket. He wasn’t caressing, he only meant to draw her attention. “What do you know of Whitaker?”

For a moment she didn’t want to tell him. “Jacob said he got word Zeb is in jail. That’s what Jacob came to tell us. I don’t have to worry about him.”

She raised her gaze to Sam’s dark stare. The anger had left them both, but the wounds were still there. He hadn’t trusted her. He’d been jealous of nothing. No apology would take the hurt away even if he offered.

And she’d slapped him, Sarah thought. She’d slapped hard, wanting to hurt him.

Sam pulled his hand away as Norma came back into the room carrying two glasses. “Anyone want to join me?”

“No,” they both answered at once.

She shrugged. “Well then, I’ll have to do the best I can to finish this bottle all by myself.”

“Enjoy it. Where you’re going there will be no drinking.”

“What?”

“You’ll be safe, but there’s no drinking or swearing and no men allowed.”

Norma swallowed her first gulp of sin. “I’ll be in hell.”

“You’ll be out of Reed’s reach, and that’s what you want.” Sam set a rifle by her chair and walked toward the door. “Stand guard while Sarah packs. I have to go downstairs and arrange a few things.” He turned and glared at them both. “We leave as soon as I get back, and both of you better be here when I return.”

Norma looked frightened, but Sarah walked past him no longer afraid of him. “Then you’d better hurry,” she whispered.

Sam’s knuckles whitened, but he didn’t follow her.

Instead, he forced his body to turn and walk out the door. He was halfway through the lobby before he allowed his fists to relax. He thought of finding Jacob Dalton and beating him to a pulp, but Sarah would probably be mad about that, too. Not to mention how the Ranger would feel. Plus Jacob Dalton was big enough that the fight would be an even one, which would take some time. With his luck he’d return late and find his wife out in the streets hugging someone else.

He slammed his fist on the desktop. Why did she have to look so damn beautiful? She’d taken his breath away when he’d seen her on the steps. Then she’d hugged Dalton and he’d felt as if someone had shot a cannon into his gut.

“May I help you, Mr. Garrett?” a frightened desk clerk asked.

Sam coughed. “Sorry,” he mumbled. “Something in my throat. Didn’t mean to startle you.”

The clerk remained out of reach.

“I need to have trunks delivered to this address north of here.” Sam scribbled on a piece of paper. “And would you ask someone to let the livery know I’ll be picking up my horse within the hour?” Sam tried to think. “Oh, and have a buggy waiting outside. My wife will be down in a few minutes.”

The clerk nodded and promised to have everything done.

Sam walked into the cafe and took the first table. He needed both time and space between his bride and his temper. He thought about ordering whiskey, but wasn’t sure he could stand to face both Sarah and Ruthie with liquor on his breath.

“Coffee,” he mumbled as the waiter neared. “Hot and black.”

“Make that two,” a familiar voice said from behind Sam.

He didn’t turn around. The Ranger was popping up more than locoweed after a rain lately.

Dalton turned a chair around and took the seat across from Sam. He shoved his hat back and smiled that all-too-bright grin Sam was starting to hate. “You don’t deserve her, you know,” Dalton opened.

Sam saw no point in arguing the obvious. “I know.” He frowned at the Ranger. “But neither do you.”

Jacob raised his hands in surrender. “I make it a point to stay away from married women.” His steel gaze leveled with Sam. “But if you ever hurt her ...”

“Don’t waste a threat.” Sam leaned back as the waiter placed two steaming cups on the table and hurried away.

Jacob nodded once as though he’d said what he came to say. He started to rise, then remembered the coffee and relaxed back in the chair. “Sarah’s a beauty, she truly is, but I’ve got my eye on this young thing up in Clarendon. I’m just waiting for her to finish growing up. Then I plan to marry her before she becomes a professional.”

Sam raised his cup to his lips thinking he would settle things with the Ranger if that’s what Sarah wanted. “What’s she planning to be?”

“A whore.”

Sam gulped boiling coffee. When the pain subsided enough for him to speak, he asked, “I thought you said—”

“I did.” Jacob shrugged. “She wants to be a lady of the night.” The young man winked at Sam. “I guess you and I are just meant to marry criminals. Sarah confessed to murdering Zeb, and my girl dreams of being the highest-paid hooker in Texas.”

Sam smiled. “Only Sarah didn’t kill Zeb Whitaker.”